I really really wanted Gibbons back
- ChrisMS

He's not gone yet.

Edit: I bet you're not disappointed I didn't have time for a goalie section to the blog today.

I said it before....one more top 6 forward (or even top 9) who is worth a damn on an ELC and we could really complete this roster...even with the Scuderi/Adams dead weight. You don't want to be "too" young...but imagine if Kapanen was ready this year. Or even if we could count on 1 guy from Wilkes-Barre for the 4th line. Harry Z is the only guy right now who can fill a role on a cheap deal.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Let me preface this by saying I'm not an Adams fan, but people continue to bang the Adams contract way too much for me. He isn't a reason why we are in trouble. He is a cheap player. Get rid of him, how many decent players can you get for his cap hit? Maatta coming in without playing a game in the AHL was making more than Adams. He is gone after this year as well.

I agree with alot of this post actually. The problem here is when you have 33% of your cap on three players, there are going to be problems elsewhere. Because of this, and a dumb contract to Scuderi we need to sign nine players with 14.6 million to play with. We will be forced to play young defensemen, which I'm a proponent of actually. We need to see what we have from them. You don't have the $$$ to go out and sign a stud. You are stuck with getting a player with warts to fill your top six.

The makeup of this team isn't good. Too many unknowns.

Columbus series wasn't that unwatchable to me as games five, six and seven of the Rags series. That was garbage. To me, that team mailed it in for game five and six. Didn't care. DB and RS are gone for a variety of reasons and all justified.
- Oneonta Penguin

I'm not saying 87 and 71 need a Hossa on each side to succeed, I think PH is a massive upgrade and the type of player needed for the top 6.

I think JJ was great with Malkin, played to his strengths, made the smart simple plays and succeeded.

I look at Dupes and yeah he plays hard, but his style/age/health he will be able to maximize his contract with 3rd line minutes and maybe finish out here. I think that would be a great situation for him. What happens if he has lost a step to start the yr? JR just wasted trying to fix the top line while he could easily fix the 3rd and bring in someone to help immetietly. If Martin is in play, now is the time to do it. Not wait to see.

He's not gone yet.

Edit: I bet you're not disappointed I didn't have time for a goalie section to the blog today.
- Ryan_Wilson

probably saved our relationship

Let me preface this by saying I'm not an Adams fan, but people continue to bang the Adams contract way too much for me. He isn't a reason why we are in trouble. He is a cheap player. Get rid of him, how many decent players can you get for his cap hit? Maatta coming in without playing a game in the AHL was making more than Adams. He is gone after this year as well.
- Oneonta Penguin

I thought it was a head scratcher when they signed him for 2 years. He was toast last year, but his biggest fan was the head coach so they signed him. I honestly couldn't imagine any other team offering him a two year deal......or even an NHL deal at all. It's like they were negotiating against themselves.

I disagree to an extent. Yes it's a nominal number in the grand scheme of crazy NHL salaries. For this team however, they might lose a bidding war for a player over 700k. The difference of 3mil and 3.7mil can certainly matter to an FA.

I thought it was a head scratcher when they signed him for 2 years. He was toast last year, but his biggest fan was the head coach so they signed him. I honestly couldn't imagine any other team offering him a two year deal......or even an NHL deal at all. It's like they were negotiating against themselves.

I disagree to an extent. Yes it's a nominal number in the grand scheme of crazy NHL salaries. For this team however, they might lose a bidding war for a player over 700k. The difference of 3mil and 3.7mil can certainly matter to an FA.
- madmike71

If you're looking at a 4 yr deal that's almost an extra 3mil over the term of the contract. Not something to scoff at. I think that's why Talbot left, he really didn't have a choice. You just cant walk away from that much money.

probably saved our relationship
- ChrisMS

They are seriously looking at Hiller by the way.

Curious : why not keeping J.Jokinen? Bad fit? Not worth it?

I really like the idea of signing Vrbata and Kulemin. I think with those two we can explore really cheap 4th line players, one of them being Payerl. I think he deserves more than 2 games to prove himself. Also, has a very friendly cap hit. People like him a lot down in Wilkes-barre.

So ... our first move happens when and who will it be?

I say Kulemin by 11 a.m.

Curious : why not keeping J.Jokinen? Bad fit? Not worth it?
- Not_Yan

He is certainly not a bad fit. He produced. Very smart player and he was good for Malkin. I wonder if there might be some bad feelings between him and our placeholder GM on how the end in Carolina shook out?

Curious : why not keeping J.Jokinen? Bad fit? Not worth it?
- Not_Yan

Apparently he told the Pens he'd return for 4mil for 4 years. They declined. Too much for this club. I think that's an overpayment.....he played with Neal and Malkin. Those guys can certainly inflate a players stats.

He is certainly not a bad fit. He produced. Very smart player and he was good for Malkin. I wonder if there might be some bad feelings between him and our placeholder GM on how the end in Carolina shook out?
- Oneonta Penguin

Gotcha, thanks.

They are seriously looking at Hiller by the way.
- Ryan_Wilson

wouldn't be the worse case scenario. I believe JR when he said Fluery wont go anywhere. But if a team really wants him, the pens can get Hillier for less money and they get a good return, I'm not gonna complain. Hillier is the only realistic goalie out there I would give a chance. He lost his place in ANA in a cap situation. only concern, one familiar to all pens fans, is the head issues.

Apparently he told the Pens he'd return for 4mil for 4 years. They declined. Too much for this club. I think that's an overpayment.....he played with Neal and Malkin. Those guys can certainly inflate a players stats.
- madmike71

I see.

So ... our first move happens when and who will it be?

I say Kulemin by 11 a.m.
- Oneonta Penguin

No clue, I'm waiting to see if our interest in Ehrhoff is real. Could change everything.

Curious : why not keeping J.Jokinen? Bad fit? Not worth it?
- Not_Yan

Considering he cleared waivers twice in his career and only got moved from CAR was due to them eating a 1/3 of his pay, I thought he might have some loyalty here and play cheap. I loved the dude, I liked the effort and what he brought to the table. I was hoping the Pens would get him years ago. But money talks I guess. He will get 1 more NHL contract, smart to go where the money is.

No clue, I'm waiting to see if our interest in Ehrhoff is real. Could change everything.
- usethe1-2-2

I don't think anyone saw the Neal deal coming. Who knows what will happen.

wouldn't be the worse case scenario. I believe JR when he said Fluery wont go anywhere. But if a team really wants him, the pens can get Hillier for less money and they get a good return, I'm not gonna complain. Hillier is the only realistic goalie out there I would give a chance. He lost his place in ANA in a cap situation. only concern, one familiar to all pens fans, is the head issues.
- ChrisMS

If someone will trade us something to get MAF for 1 yr at 5, someone else will pay 5+ for Hiller. I just don't see anything happening with MAF.

Curious : why not keeping J.Jokinen? Bad fit? Not worth it?
- Not_Yan

good player, but i feel bad for who ever offers him 4+ million.

alright friends... because we are all bored, i have a game.

rank the following in order from most likely to happen to least likely.... GO!

1. Penguins sign a 1b goalie.
2. Penguins acquire a young top 6 winger (kane)
3. Penguins have 5 new bottom 6 forwards by the end of tomorrow
4. Penguins trade Paul Martin
5. Penguins sign a defensmen for over 3 million per season
6. Kulemin signs somewhere else.
7. Penguins trade a roster player not named Rob Scuderi
8. Rob Scuderi is still a Penguin tomorrow night

GO!

good player, but i feel bad for who ever offers him 4+ million.
- SuperHenderson13

If you think about it 4 million isn't awful for him. Kunitz and Dupes both making around that because of crosby/malkin boosting stats.

alright friends... because we are all bored, i have a game.

rank the following in order from most likely to happen to least likely.... GO!

1. Penguins sign a 1b goalie.
2. Penguins acquire a young top 6 winger (kane)
3. Penguins have 5 new bottom 6 forwards by the end of tomorrow
4. Penguins trade Paul Martin
5. Penguins sign a defensmen for over 3 million per season
6. Kulemin signs somewhere else.
7. Penguins trade a roster player not named Rob Scuderi
8. Rob Scuderi is still a Penguin tomorrow night

GO!
- SuperHenderson13

8
3
7- 1,5, AND 4 go with this
6
2

If you think about it 4 million isn't awful for him. Kunitz and Dupes both making around that because of crosby/malkin boosting stats.
- Magicmanmalkin

personally i wouldnt give him anything above 3.

personally i wouldnt give him anything above 3.
- SuperHenderson13

Dont blame you, but can't really blame him.